MaineLeedsbloke

Ok folks, please be honest.......seeing as the idiot in the White House is about to destroy the best healthcare system in the world, I was wondering how the NHS was doing these days. It was in pretty bad shape when I left 11 years ago..somehow it would have to be able to look after my wife who has a chronic illness for us to eventually move back to the UK.

dunroving

The NHS is still free at point of contact, and if you are willing to pay for private health care, you can get the same standard of treatment you have become accustomed to in the States. For many chronic illnesses, the fact that most medications are essentially free has to compare favorably to the system in the US, even when the last idiot was in the Whitehouse.

NHS is excellent value for money, but waiting times, etc., will likely get longer as national finances reduce and people continue to make themselves sicker by eating crap, smoking, and sitting around watching telly.

I won't get into your political comments as this is not the forum for that.

sallysimmons

Way to start a conversation ...

Simon Legree

The best Healthcare system in the world ?
Hostages of the insurance industry more like. A system where your insurance can be terminated at the whim of the insurer. If you happen to be unemployed it certainly isn't any system at all. What benefit is a healthcare industry that 30 million people cannot presently access ?
The level of care to those who can get it is very good, no question. It's just a pity that the insurance industry controls it.
Many Americans love to rant about socialism when they talk about medical care but the sad fact is that most of them don't even know the meaning of the word, only the Fox TV version !

Jay Bird

I think it depends very much on where you live; I'm in West Sussex now and I have been impressed the few times I have needed the services of my doctor since we came home. OH was rushed to hospital a couple of years ago (Royal Surrey in Guildford) and received excellent treatment by a team of really kind and caring staff. My aged parents live in the North West and have not fared so well at the hands of the local hospital in Tameside. Having said that, I also received good treatment at a tiny little cottage hospital in Canada......the cost of prescriptions was something else though! At least here in the UK they are comparatively cheap......free for me and OH now as we've reached a Certain Age

I really don't think there's a simple answer for what on the face of it, seems a simple question.

Giantaxe

If I had a chronic illness, I would prefer to take my chances with the NHS than the whims of US insurance companies and the risk that loss of employment could mean loss of insurance and possible financial devastation. I might feel differently if I was over-65 and had Medicare access, but then Medicare is a dastardly government-administered single-payer system that the OP presumably derides.

MaineLeedsbloke

Look, I'll admit it....I am a recovering democrat.....now Republican and yes I couldn't help making a comment about the worst US president in history but I wasn't looking for a war of words. I do have to say that the hatred between the sane right and loony left is scary...I prefer UK politics and look forward to only having to listen to the politicans lie to me once every 5 years instead of every 2 years........though while I am still living here, I am glad that we don't have to wait a parlimentary term to get rid of that prized squashed tomato Pelosi.

geeandtee

It's free. That's the main thing.

I'd rather put up with waiting lists and delays than worry about going bankrupt because of a long term illness, or having to fumble for my credit card while I'm bleeding out all over A&E because, when all is said and done, 'the best healthcare system in the world' is all about money and sod all else.

Giantaxe

So in the space of two posts you've described the president as "an idiot trying to destroy the best healthcare system in the world", as "the worst president in US history", you've talked about the "sane right and loony left", and described Pelosi as a "prized squashed tomato". All without backing up your assertions, of course... and then you claim you "weren't looking for a war of words"

Mummy in the foothills

Your wife has a chronic illness so you'll grace the UK with your presence?
You have obviously been blessed by jobs with great insurance in your 11 years here.
The NHS seems fine and Dandy, why would you want to leave all this "wonderful medical care" for it?

Giantaxe

Because, apparently, Obama is detroying it... ironically by passing legislation that actually significantly benefits people like his wife who have a chronic long-term health condition. Go figure.

Jerseygirl

If you're looking for a policital debate you should open a thread in this forum.

aviva

Thought I'd mention
"Medicare fiscal intermediaries (FIs) are private insurance companies that serve as the federal government's agents in the administration of the Medicare program, including the payment of claims. There are two primary functions for the FI--reimbursement review and medical coverage review."

WARPed

My sister in the UK was diagnosed with Breast Cancer 8 weeks ago. I that time she has been seen, operated on, healed, reconsulted and has now started chemo. That, IMO, is pretty damn good.

Financially her family is very poor and if she was in the US she would probably still be riddled with cancer with no option for treatment but begging for someone to pay for it and would most likely be dead in a few years. As she had the NHS to fall on she is now classed as cancer free but being given Chemo optionally at her request, just to make sure.

If she was treated here she would be bankrupt (see two of the recent threads where people are facing bankruptcy for very short stays in hospital). In England she can forget about money and concentrate on healing and enjoying her life with her husband and 4 kids.

If you think this health care system is so great then you are just another sheep. Maybe you or a loved one needs a brush with a serious illness (or even just a minor illness) when it isn't financially convenient for you to realize that this system needs an overhaul. The current "Idiot" was the only guy with the compassion, care and balls to get up and at least try to do something despite facing considerable opposition from other sheep and uneducated of the country.

dunroving

Obviously I was wrong.